The Mary Avenue Overcrossing project aims to relieve north-south traffic congestion in Sunnyvale, improve multimodal access between Moffett Park and other areas, and support smart growth in Moffett Park area.
The project would provide a multimodal connection from Mary and Almanor avenues, over US-101, SR-237 and Moffett Park LRT Station to 11th Avenue and Discovery Way (formerly E Street) in Moffett Park.
Angela Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer, 408-730-7557
There are four different options for the project's conceptual design, including a fifth option for no project. The project team will present a project option to City Council in March 2021. Council will select a project option for the EIR*. Regardless of the project option selected, all four options will be studied. See Details tab for project options.
*for the purpose of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), a project alternative must be selected
City Council Study Session
Topic is an agenda item at the City Council meeting (PDF download)
When: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Watch on YouTube
Or Participate on Zoom
Or by telephone - Call: 833-548-0276; Meeting ID: 961 1158 0540
March 2021 - City Council Regular Session for the selection of Project Alternative for the EIR
Spring 2021 - Winter 2022 - Preparation of Draft EIR and Final EIR
Winter 2022 - Approval of EIR and selection of Preferred Alternative
As part of the EIR, we are analyzing the following project options:
Community Meeting Frequently Asked Questions, Sept. 2020
Online Community Meeting on YouTube, Sept. 24, 2020
Online Community Meeting Presentation Material, Sept. 24, 2020
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission 17-0731, July 20, 2017 - Update Staff Presentation
CEQA Scoping Meeting, March 21, 2017
Notice of Preparation (NOP) of the Environmental Impact Report, March 7, 2017
Study Session 17-0030, Feb. 28, 2017 - Environmental Impact Staff Presentation
Community Kickoff, Jan. 17, 2017
City of Sunnyvale General Plan
Moffett Park Specific Plan Update 2013
Peery Park Specific Plan 2016
Mary Avenue Overcrossing was included in the following City of Sunnyvale plans:
In 2007, the City of Sunnyvale completed a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Mary Avenue Extension. Many members of the community provided comments on the Draft ElR. The City responded to community comments. The following were the key concerns:
The City Council certified the Final ElR and approved the Mary Avenue Extension project in October 2008. In 2009, the Sunnyvale West Neighborhood Association filed a legal challenge against the City. The legal challenge was about the adequacy of the ElR document, and the use of a 2020 traffic baseline for the traffic analysis. The Superior Court granted the petition in 2009. The 6th District Court of Appeal upheld the Superior Court decision in 2010. Because of this, the City Council decertified the EIR and voided the project approval in 2011.
Without an adequate EIR, no action has occurred on the project since that time. In 2015, City Council directed staff to prepare an updated scope. This scope included preparing an EIR with updated alternatives and a robust outreach. In 2016, the City selected a consultant team to begin updating the EIR.
The Office of the City Attorney (OCA) advised the project team of a recent case law. The case law involved a multi-project EIR that did not identify a project alternative up front. The courts ruled that EIR as violating California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The violation was due to the EIR not having an "accurate, stable and finite" project description for the public. The OCA advised the project team to select a project alternative for the purposes of the EIR. Regardless of which alternative the City Council selects, the EIR will study all five alternatives. The City Council will select the preferred project alternative after completion and acceptance of the Final EIR.